Fur carroting machine



4 'sheets-sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2o', 1946 SMQ, y

I MS.

rl I -FiIed Feb. 20, 1946 Aug. 16, 1949. w, L. BRAUN 2,479,466

FUR CAAHROTINGV MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Aug.v 16,l 1949. w. L. BRAUN FUR CARROTING' MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 20, 1946 ENToR v ATTORNEYS I W. L. BRAUN FUR CARROTING MACHINE Aug. 16, 1949.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 20, l1946 5 RM n m. m m m maw' i Patented Aug. 16 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE William Lewis'- Braun, Norwalk; Conni, assighor.

by inesne assignments, to Carroting Machine & Chemicals Co., Inc., Newark, N. J., it corporationof N ew Jersey Application February 20, 194B, SerialNo. 649,019

This invention relates to a machine for car roting fur, particularly to a machine for cari roting fur on theskin as one of the 'stepsfor preparing fur for felting in making hats, and has for an object to providera machine which will take the place of the hand carroting operation now generally employed which is dangerous to the health of the operator because of the solutions used.

Another object is to provide a machine which will more uniformly and effectively apply' the carroting solution to the fur on the skin than can be done with the hand operation, and also to reduce the amount of`r carroting solution'required for carroting a given number ofV skins.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the means for supporting and feeding the skins are so mounted that they may be raised with the brushes for applying the carroting solution to the fur, so that the brushes maybe readily inspected `and also easily and quickly removed andlreplaced.

19 Claims. (Cl. 69H28) A further object is to provide a construction and arrangement in which, in addition to the advantages stated, the operators are protected not only from contact' with the solution itself, but also the fumes from the solution.

With the foregoing and other objects Yin View, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specication. It is; however, to be understood' the invention is not limited to the specific dee tails of construction and arrangement shown, but may embody various changes and modifications within the scope of` the invention'.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a partial side elevation and; partial section of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a top planA view thereof with certain portions broken away to more clearly show the construction;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section substantially on line 3-3 of Fig'. 4, but showing the end of the endless conveyorl mechanism in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the device showing the endlessV conveyor in elevation;

Fig. 5 is a side' view of one end of one form of endless conveyor and operating sprocket therefor the shaft being omitted;

Fig'. 6 is a detail of the constructionvof Fig'. 5;

Fig. 7 is an end viewof the construction of Fig. 5;

Fig. s is a view similar toFig". tV showing a modified construction;

on the frame I. and'brackets Fig. 9 is an end View of -one means ofmounting the brushes; i i

Fig. 10 is a transverse section thereof, substantially on `the line4 |0-f"l0'of'Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan-view of a portion of the for supporting the skins; Y

Fig. 13 is a` detail section showing. a means `for mounting and supporting. the pelt supporting Wire'sfand Fig. i 14` is an end l elevation thereof.

.The machine shown comprises a supporting frame lof any suitable construction including upright legs'or supports 2 of angle members and connecting longitudinal angle members 3 and transversev bars 3a.-

Pivotally mounted onY 'this main frame is a second frame 4.a of any suitable construction but in the present case comprising spaced side mem bers 5 of angle bar' construction connectedV by transverse endk mernbe'arsl 'Gia-nd transverse angle bars 1. This Whole frame is pivoted to therst frame l intermediate its length by means o'f the hinge pins Sthrugh suitable bearings 9 mounted ID secured to the side members of the framed.

Mounted on the upper' frame 4 is means for supporting the skins and feedingY them` through the machine during the carroting operation. This comprises a series of longitudinal wires li supported" at their oppositeends on suitable transverse bars' l2 and' f3 extending between and supported by the `side members 5, and these Wires are mounted by means sothat they may be kept taut. 'They are preferablyof stainless'steel construction so'as to resist the action of the carroting solution. They are firmly` anchored to the bar f2 and anclicredlto'the i3 by adjusting means tov keep them taut,` lasv shown in Figs. 13 and 14. Thearrangement shown comprises a pin` M rotatable in the bar I3, onefor each wire, and' to'wh'ichtneend of the vWire is connected. The pin may be rotated `to adjust' the' tightness of the Wire by a suitablerodr orkey inserted in theopening S in the pin, andfthen ,the pin secured'inadjusted position' by a suitablenold'- ing means, sucnas the set"` I6'. This bar limay also be sejouredto 'thetransverse `angle bar 1, as indicated'at l1; 'soas' to further support this bar;

Located immediately above the supporting wiresifor the skins isa means for gripping the skilisand feedig'pthem' longitudinally along the Wiresdnrlng the carrotilg'V opration. The skins mea/11S are fed into the machine from the right hand end as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4 from the feed table I8 and are fed in the direction indicated by the arrow I9 and discharged at the rear or left hand end of the machine into any suitable container (not shown). The preferred form of conveyor and feeding device 'comprises an endless chain conveyor arranged'with the lower run 2l irnmediately above the wires Il, and it comprises a pair of flexible chains 22 running over suitable sprockets 23 and 24 arranged at the opposite ends of the supporting wires and supported on suitable cross shafts 25 and 26 respectively, mounted in suitable bearings 21 supported on the side members 5 of the upper frame. The shaft 25 and the sprocket 23 are driven from any suitable means to drive the conveyor, such, for example,- as the sprocket 28 driven by a suitable chain drive 29 from the reducing gear drive 30 from the electric motor 3l,

The feed conveyor may be of different constructions, that shown in Figs. 1 to 5 comprising the two spaced chains 22 of pivotally connected links 32 and 33v (Fig. 5) of the general type of bicycle chain, and to alternate links of the two chains are securedV cross bars 34 having a series of pins 35 to piercethe skin of the pelt the fur of which is being .carroted, so asY to form a positive grip on the pelt or skin to feed it along the wires Il during the carroting operation. These bars are preferably of some material which is highly resistant to the chemical action of the carroting solution, such, for example, as stainless steel. In the fonrn shown in these gures there is a series of bars 35 positioned on edge and mounted in recesses in discs or plates 3'! mounted on the rear shaft 25 between the sprockets 23, asshown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 7. These bars are so arranged that as the conveyor passes around these spro-cketsthe bars 36 come between the bars l 54 andthey project sufliciently above the edge of the disc, as shown in Fig. 5 (about equal -to the projection of the points or pins 35 has been found satisfactory), so that as the skin 38 reaches these sprockets after thecarroting operation these bars 36, as shown in Fig. 5, will engage the skin 58 between two bars 34 and will push the skin downwardly 01T the pins 35 so as to disconnect it from these pins and prevent its being carried around these sprockets with the conveyor. The skin may drop onto an endless rubber or canvas belt 39 and be deposited by this belt at the rear end of the lmachine. vThis canvas or rubber belt may run over a-pair of rollers 40 one of which, such as the rear roller, may be operated from the reducing drive 30 through a suitable belt 4 I As the thickness of the fur may vary for different pelts or skins, and also as, when the skin is on the supporting wires l I they may tend to liftI the lower run 2l of the conveyor, supports or backing-up means for this lower run are provided immediately above it. These .comprise a series of longitudinal bars 42 placed on edge immediately above this lower run and supported by any suitable means, such as the transverse angle bars 43 supported on the side frame. It will be clear that these bars 42 hold the lower run 2i of the conveyor down in proper position so as to force the points 35 into the skin and they also prevent the pelt from being raised by the pressure of the carrot applying brushes. In other words, they hold the pelt in the proper position with respect tothe brushes and prevent their moving away under pressure of thebrushes,` and thus assure that the carrot is properly applied to the fur, and also brushed or rubbed into it.

These brushes are rotary brushes, indicated at 44, 45 and 46. The number may vary, but three brushes have been found to be very satisfactory. They may also be driven to move in different directions with respect to the lay of the fur on the skin as is found to be most desirable for the skins being treated, but as sho-wn on the drawing, the first brush 44 is arranged to rotate in the direction of the lay of the fur Iwhen the skin or pelt is fed tail rst to the machine. The second brush 45 rotates in the opposite direction or against the lay of the fur to rub the solution into Ithe fur, while the third brush 46 is located to the rear of the rst two brushes and rotates in the direction of the lay of the fur so as to slick this fur and lay it down and also remove surplus carroting solution from the fur. These brushes are all cylindrical brushes mounted to rotate at proper speed, it being preferred that the first brush 44 be the slowest and driven at a speed of about l2 R. P. M., the second brush 45 being rotated atan intermediate speed of about R. P. M., andV the third or slicking brush 45 be operated at a higher speed of, for example, about R. P. M., with the brushes about four inches in diameter.

It is also preferred that the sprockets 23 of the tipped upwardly, as indicated in dotd lines Fig. 1, the feed conveyor 20 and the pelt supporting wires l i will be raised with the brushes, thus leaving the brushes uncovered and clear for easy inspection and easy removal or mounting in place.

rlihis permits mounting or dismounting of the brushes for cleaning, renewal, or repair without the necessity of breaking down the machine. All that is necessary is to lift the front end or depress the rear end of the upper frame 4. This also eX poses the supporting wires Il and the associated parts, including the lower run of the feed conveyor, for ready inspection, cleaning, and repair. The brushes are mounted on suitable transverse shafts 4l running in suitable bearings mounted on the side members of the upper frame 4, and they are preferably mounted so as to be adjustable, as shown in Figs. 9 and 1U, to vary the posi--4 tion of the brushes with respect to the supporting wires Il and therefore the skin or pelt being operated upon.

The mounting shown in Figs. 9 and li! is a sim ple and effective one, permitting easy adjustment of the brushes, and also permitting easy dismounting and removal of an old brush and its replacement by a new one. The bearing shown comprises upright spaced guide blocks between which is mounted the ball bearing 55 for the shaft 47, there being guide plates 5i on the op posite sides engaging the opposite sides of the guide 49 to retain the bearing between the guides 49, and these plates may be connected by any suit able transverse bolts 52. A substantially U- shaped block 53 is secured to the bottom of the bearing and supported on an adjusting screw 54 mounted in a strap 55 secured to the lower ends' of the guides 49 by any suitable means, such as the screws 56. It will be understood that the The portion of the machine including the feed conveyor 2t and associated parts may be enclosed in a suitable hood S3 placed over them to collect any fumes or carroting solution which may be thrown up by the brushes, and the fumes may be carried off through any suitable Ventilating connection 9d, and access may be had to the feed conveyor` and other parts by merely lifting the hood. Any suitable hood may be used as it is used merely to collect fumes from the machine so they may be carried away by a fan or other suitable means. The hood may merely rest on suitable supports on the machine so as to be lifted and placed to one side when access is desired to the machine or it is desired to raise the upper frame 4; or if preferred it could be mounted on suitable raising and lowering means.

t will be evident from the above that the device is so arranged that the parts are all easily accessible for inspection, cleaning, renewal or repair. An especially desirable feature is the arrangement of the supporting means for skin and the feed means on the upper frame which may be raised from the lower frame carrying the pans or containers for the carroting solution. it possible to renew and remove the brushes without breaking down the whole machine or removing a whole lot of parts, such as the skin supporting means, conveyor and so forth, greatly reducing the time lost in renewing the brushes or making inspections or repairs. This machine carrots the skins much more rapidly than can be done by the old hand method, and furthermore, applies the carroting solution much more evenly and uniformly to the fur, and effects a saving in the amount of carroting solution used because of this more uniform application and also because it obviates the splashing and loss of the carroting solution which is caused by the dipping and carrying of the hand brushes from the pan containing the solution to the skins. It also prevents splashing of the carroting solution on the garments or the skin of the operators and is a protection to the health of the operators because the fumes escaping into the surrounding atmosphere are greatly reduced.

Also with this machine it is possible to use lower concentrations of carroting solutions, as the solution is much more thoroughly and evenly worked into the fur than is possible by the conventional hand method.

On the other hand it is also possible to use much higher concentrations of carroting solutions, as it is possible to so adjust the machine as to make lighter applications and it is more evenly applied, and because the machine is covered and all the fumes taken away there is no danger affecting the health of men as would be the case if solutions of such concentrations were applied by hand.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim:

1. A fur carroting machine comprising a supporting frame, a second frame pivoted to the first frame to swing about a horizontal axis, a series of longitudinal wires mounted on the second frame to support a skin with the fur side down, means on the upper side of said wires to grip the skin and feed it along the wires, a plurality of rotary brushes mounted immediately under the wires to brush the fur on the skin, a container for carroting solution mounted in the first frame below at least one of the brushes and arranged so that the lower portion of the brush is immersed in the solution to carry it to the fur. another of This makes i said brushes acting as a slicking brush to remove surplus solution from the fur, and said pivot for the second frame being so arranged that tilting of this frame will raise the wires and feed means from the lower frame whereby the parts carried by both frames are accessible for inspection and repair.

2. A fur oarroting machine comprising a lower supporting frame and an upper frame pivoted to the lower frame to swing about a horizontal axis to permit lifting of said frame from the lower frame, means on the upper frame to support a skin with the fur side down and exposed from beneath and for feeding the skin horizontally, a series of rotary brushes mounted beneath the kin supporting and feeding means, and means for supplying carroting solution to at least one of the brushes for application by the brushto the fur.

3. A fur carroting machine comprising a lower supporting frame, an upper frame hinged to the lower frame to swing about a horizontal axis, a series of horizontal supporting wires mounted in and extending longitudinally of the upper frame, said wires being adapted to support a pelt with the fur side down, an endless conveyor mounted above said wires provided with pins to grip the skin to feed it along said wires, rotary brushes mounted beneath said wires, a container in the lower frame for supplying carroting solution to at least one of the brushes for application to the fur, and said hinged connection being so arranged that the wires and feeding means may be lifted by tilting the upper frame.

4. A fur carroting machine comprising a lower supporting frame, an upper frame hinged to the lower frame to swing about a horizontal axis, a series of horizontal supporting wires mounted in and extending longitudinally of the upper frame, said wires being adapted to support a pelt with the fur side down, means mounted above the wires to grip the pelt and feed it along said wires, rotary brushes mounted beneath said wires, a container for carroting solution mounted in the lower frame, at least one of said brushes being mounted in said container so that it is immersed in the solution and carries it to the fur, means for driving the brushes to brush the solution into the fur, and said hinge connection being so arranged that tilting the upper frame will lift the wires and feeding means.

5. A fur carroting machine comprising a lower supporting frame, an upper frame hinged to thelower frame to swing about a horizontal axis, a series of horizontal supporting wires mounted in and extending longitudinally of the upper frame, said wires being adapted to support a pelt with the fur side down, means mounted above the wires to grip the pelt and feed it along the wires, a container for carroting solution mounted in the lower frame, an overflow pan enclosing and spaced from the rst container, said container and pan being located immediately under said wires, a series of rotary brushes under said wires, at least one brush being located in said container and so located as to be immersed at its lower side in said solution and apply it to the fur, another brush being located outside the container and in the overflow pan to brush surplus solution from the fur, and said hinged connection being so located that tipping of the upper frame will lift the wires and feeding means with the brushes from said container and pan.

6. A fur carroting machine comprising a series of longitudinal wires for supporting a pelt with there. fur: side:` down.:l means above.n the;` wires for.

gripping thefpelt and;v feeding Ait along; the wires,

rotary brushes beneatlrjtheewires" to: apply car-i roting` solutions-to; thevfnr and `brush it, ,and said v wines;` arranged; in spacrntlf groups ofA wires loca-ted closer` togetherv thann the-wires between, thegroups torprovide-greatersupport.for p .ortionsbf; the pelt having, the-.heavier i thickerv fur.

7; A= furcarroting;machinecomprising aseries ot longitudinal wiresI for supporting; a; pelt with the fur side down, means abovethewires for,` grinning thezV pelt; and feeding it along. the wires comprising an endless conveyor including apair oli laterally spaced chains runningover sprockets;

a, series oi transverse barsmounted on said chains, means on said barstoegri-p; thaskin of the pelt, rotary brushes underv the;l wires,v positioned-' tola-pplycarroting solution tothe fur, and a series v on longitudinally,- extending; bars mounted immediately above the: bars.- ofthelower run of said conveyor to-held` said bars down on the skin and; preventtheirbeing lifted `by pressure. of the-pelt and brushes. t

8i Affur carrotingmachine comprising al lower supportinggframe, an upper frame hinged to the lower frame to swing about, ar horizontal` axis, a series of horizontal supportingwires mounted, in.

and, extending longitudinally of the upper frame, t

said wires being`l4 adapted to;y supportA a pelt with the. fur side.v down, means; mounted* above thev wires in, therupper, frame to grip. the:- pelt and feed it alongthewireseanoverflow pan mountedA in- .the first frames belowthe; wires,-` a container for carroting solution mounted in and enclosed;

by saidzpam rotary brushesfmounted below the wires in said pan and container to apply solution to the fur, saiddorushes: beifng'mounted on shafts, bearings for the shafts mounted in upright guides, and means for shifting the bearings in said guides to adjust the position ofthe brushes with respectito. sai'dwires..

9. A fur carroting machine, comprising aseries` ofc-horizontal, wires to carry askink with the fur sideV down, means above the wires toffeedftheskin along thev wires comprisinganendless conveyor including laterally spaced chains running over sprockets. onelongitudinally spaced shafts at .the entrance and exit ends ofthe conveyor, a series of spaced transverse bars secured to the chains, pins on the bars extending downwardly therefrom when in the lower run of the conveyor to grip the skin on the wires to feed it along the wires, and a series of longitudinal bars mounted on the shaft at the outlet end of the conveyor between the chain sprockets, said bars being spaced so as to be located between the transverse bars of the conveyor as they pass around the sprockets, and said bars on the shaft extending beyond the outer surfaces of the conveyor bars sufliciently to remove the skin from the pins as they pass over the sprockets.

10. A fur carrcting machine comprising a series of horizontal wires to carry a skin with the fur side down, means above the wires to feed the skin along the wires comprising an endless conveyor including laterally spaced chains running over sprockets on shafts at opposite ends of the conn veyol, transverse flat bars secured to alternate links of the chain. each bar when on the lower run of the conveyor being secured at its forward edge portion to said links and of a width so that its rear edge is adjacent the forward edge of the next adjacent following link, and pins on the bars adjacent their forward edges adapted to grip a skin to feed it along the wires and so arranged thatfas the ,barspassS around the-sprockets at the exit end of the;convey-Orth@l rear edge of each barv willbeswung;f outwardly toy remove the l skinfrom thepins oi the, nextA following bar.

ll. A f ur carroting machine comprising a series` opnositeends andiincluding a series of transverse provided with downwardly, projectingV pins wnenJon-the lower run togripthefskini of thegfpelt,

and` means moving with, the conveyor and operating by movement; of the. conveyor around: the

sprockets at its, dischargeeend-,toforce the skin,

from thepins.,

121.. A,fur carroting'machine:comprising a series` or wires to support. ahpeltlwithv the; iur sidel down,

f brushes-7 under'. the," wires` forN applying,- carrotingsolution tothe fur, meansrabovethe wires for feeding the pelt= alongthe` wires comprising an endlessconveyorr including laterally spacedf chains running, overv sprockets'. ats oppositeends of the conveyor, aseries ot transverse bars secured tov links of thee, chains.. andL providedwith4 of, the'. conveyor; the' movement I ofiA a` barn to an angular position forces; the.; skinf` frorni` the.y pins.

of the adjacentbari y 13`` A- Yfur carroting, machincomprising,a-flower supporting` frame and-.an upper trame Vpivoted to the lower frame` to swing abonol a.; horizontal,` axis` tol-permit; lifting of said,` frame: front the llower franca means onthe upper) framfstoy support a skin with the-giur `sidefdown andexposed from,`

beneath andfor feeding: the-sskin-horizontally', a seriesfof rotary brushes mountedy in the upper frame beneath the skinsupportingand; feeding means toswing.A with.-thiseframe; and means for supplying,f carrotingfv solution-.to` at least one of the :brushes for.v application bythe; to the fllIT'.,

14., A furcarroting machine comprising ailower. supporting frame, an upper frame hinged to the lower frame to swing about a horizontal axis, a series of horizontal supporting wires mounted in and extending longitudinally of the upper frame, said wires being adapted to support a pelt with the fur side down, an endless conveyor mounted above said wires provided with pins to grip the skin to feed it along said wires, rotary brushes mounted in the upper frame beneath said wires, a container in the lower frame for supplying carroting solution to at least one of the brushes for application to the fur, and said hinged connection being so arranged that the wires, feeding means and brushes may be lifted by tilting the upper frame.

l5. A fur carroting machine comprising a lower supporting frame, an upper frame hinged to the lower frame to swing about a horizontal axis, a series of horizontal supporting wires mounted in and extending longitudinally of the upper frame, said wires being adapted to support a pelt with the fur side down, means mounted above the wires to grip the pelt and feed it along said wires, rotary brushes mounted in the upper frame beneath said wires, a container for carroting solution mounted in the lower frame, at least one of Said brushes being mounted in said container ing means and brushes.

v11 so that its lower portionis immersed in the solution and carries it to the fur, means for driving the brushes to brush the solution into the fur, and said hinge connection being so arranged that tilting the upper frame will lift the Wires, feed- 16. A fur carroting machine comprising a sup= porting frame, a second frame pivoted to the rst frame to swing about a horizontal aXis, a series of longitudinal wires mounted on the second frame to support a skin with the fur side down, means on the upper side of said Wires to grip the skin and feed it along the wires, a plurality of rotary brushes mounted in the second frame immediately under the'wires to brush the fur on the skin, a container for carrotlng solution mounted in the first frame below at least one of the brushes and arranged so that the lower portion of the brush is immersed in the solution to carry it to the fur, another of said brushes acting as a slicking brush to remove surplus solution from the fur, and said pivot for the second frame being so arranged that tilting of this frame will raise the wires, feed means and brushes from the lower frame whereby the parts carried by both frames are accessible for inspection, cleaning and repair.

17 A fur carroting machine comprising a series of longitudinal wires for supporting a pelt with the fur side down, means above the wires for gripping the pelt to hold it against the wires and feed it longitudinally along the wires, a container for carroting solution mounted under the wires, an overilow pan enclosing and spaced from the container, said container and pan being located immediately under the wires, a plurality of rotary brushes under said wires, at least one brush being located in said container and so located as to be immersed at its lower side in said solution and apply it to the fur as the pelt is [fed along the wires, and another brush being located outside the container and in the overow pan to brush surplus solution from the fur.

18. A fur carroting machine comprising a series of longitudinal wires adapted to support a pelt with the fur side down, means mounted above the wires to grip the pelt and feed it longitudinally along the wires, an overflow pan mounted immediately below the wires, a container for carroting solution mounted in and enclosed by said pan, the pan and container each including side walls eX- tending upwardly to a position adjacent the wires, and a plurality of rotary brushes mounted below the wires, at least one brush being mounted in the container to apply carroting solution from the container to the iur as the pelt is fed along the wires, and another brush being located in the pan outside the container to brush surplus solu-V tion from the fur. 1

19. A fur carroting machine comprising a lower supporting frame and an upper frame pivoted to the lower frame to swing about a horizontal axis to permit lifting of said upper frame from the lower frame, a series of spaced longitudinal supporting wires mounted in the upper frame arranged to carry a skin with the fur side down, means located at the upper side of the wires to grip the skin to hold it on the wires and to feed it longitudinally along the wires, a plurality of rotary brushes mounted in the upper frame immediately under the wires to brush the fur on the skin as it is fed along the wires, means mounting the brushes arranged to adjust the brushes toward and from the wires to control the position of the brushes with respect to the fur being brushed, a container for carroting solution mounted in the lower frame below the wires, at least one of the brushes being mounted in the container to carry the solution to the fur as the skin is fed along the Wires, and another brush being arranged to brush surplus solution from the fur.

WILLIAM LEWIS BRAUN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 903,992 Langley Nov. 17, 1908 1,809,909 Pierini June 16, 1931 1,960,528 Culhane May 29, 1934 2,234,813 Tomaino Mar. 11, 1941 2,313,578 Plass Mar. 9, 1943 

